The phrase "hadst the upper hand" is spelled with the old English second person singular past tense verb "hadst," which is pronounced as /hædst/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "h" sound is followed by the vowel sound /æ/ (as in "cat"), then the consonant cluster /dst/ which represents the sound of the past tense ending "-ed" and /t/ sound. The phrase means having control or power over a situation or person. While this phrase is not commonly used in modern English, it reflects the historic roots of the language.
"Hadst the upper hand" is an archaic phrase that derives from Middle English and is primarily used in literary and poetic contexts. It consists of three main components: "hadst," which is the second-person singular past tense of the auxiliary verb "have"; "the," which is a definite article; and "upper hand," which is an idiomatic expression.
The term "the upper hand" refers to a position of advantage or control in a particular situation. It implies having superiority or dominance over someone or something. When someone "has the upper hand," they enjoy an advantageous position and are in a position of power or influence over others involved in the situation. This phrase is often used to describe a situation where one party has gained the advantage over another, typically in a struggle or conflict.
The auxiliary verb "hadst" indicates that this advantage or superiority belonged to the second-person singular subject in the past. The phrase therefore suggests that the person addressed or referenced had a previous advantage or dominance over someone or something. It can be employed to convey the idea that a certain individual was once in control or held the upper hand in a particular scenario or relationship, though the current state may be different.
Overall, "hadst the upper hand" refers to the possession of a previously held advantage or superiority in a specific context, highlighting the idea of dominance or control.